If you were hit by a truck, you might not be clear on what caused the accident. This could be because all you saw was the truck coming at you, or because you were in shock. Whatever the facts are, there are a number of potential causes of truck accidents. If you have a case against them, you will need to begin by determining that they were at fault. Your personal injury attorney can help you do that, and you can also read on to learn about three of the most common truck accident causes.
- Issues with Equipment
- Safety Violations
- The Driver Made an Error
The FMCSA and NHTSA conducted a study together called the Large Truck Crash Causation Study. It found that in 10% of truck accidents, mechanical issues with the truck were a critical reason for causing the accident. The most common issue that qualified under this description was failure of brakes or tires. If you were involved in an accident in which the brakes went out, it might not be the truck driver’s fault but it could be the fault of the company who manufactured or installed the brakes. It is worth talking to a personal injury attorney to determine your options.
When a driver does not follow laws, accidents are more likely. That is in fact why laws are in place – to protect the public. There are many different violations a truck driver could make including driving after being on the road for too many hours, speeding, driving after drinking, not loading their cargo properly, not completing the required pre-trip inspection, running a red light, and many other examples.
Most truck accidents are actually the result of the driver make an error. The truth is that most truck drivers are safe. In fact, they have built an entire career around being a safe driver. Just one negative mark on their driving record could end their career. That said, they are not perfect and they do make mistakes.
For example, they might be well within the speed limit but drive faster than is safe depending on road conditions. They might take their eyes off the road for one second or forget to check their blind spot before changing lanes.
Contact an Attorney if You Have Been Injured in a Truck Accident
Depending on the specifics of you case, your case could be against the truck driver themselves, their employer, the company that maintains the fleet of trucks, or other entities. The best way to find out what your options are is to contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation.
